Foliar High-Volume Spraying

Gorse Management

Foliar high-volume spraying involves completely wetting the entire gorse plant with a high volume of water mixed with a registered herbicide.

High-volume spraying is most effective on scattered plants or for treating regrowth and for gorse on steep or hard to access land. Use a handheld sprayer, pump-action backpack or hoses connected to water units mounted on a trailer. This method can be cost effective, but any missed areas will continue to grow. If you’re not confident with high-volume spraying, you can contact a commercial contractor.

Control Method Rating

Cost

Low | Medium | High

Efficacy

• • •

When

High-volume spraying works best when plants are actively growing because this distributes the herbicide throughout the plant. Gorse does not actively grow in winter and herbicides are less effective if plants are stressed by extreme cold or heat. The best time to treat gorse with herbicide is from spring to early summer and after autumn rain, before flowers appear. For best results, treat gorse before it flowers and produces seed pods. When gorse is in seed take care as seeds can be picked up from the ground by machinery and vehicles and transported around your property.

Pros & Cons

Foliar high-volume spraying is cost-effective and ideal for treating isolated plants and on steep land. It can be hard to make sure the water reaches dense patches of gorse. High-volume spraying is not suitable near waterways or wetlands. It can also drift onto or land on pasture or surrounding vegetation.

Follow up

Leave gorse treated with herbicide for at least 12 months before burning or disturbing to give the herbicide time to kill the plant. Burning dead gorse will improve access for future treatment but it may also stimulate new seedlings. Before you burn gorse, check fire restrictions, read the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advice on burning off and always let your local CFA know of your intention to burn. Burning dead gorse may stimulate new seedlings so it’s important you continue to monitor and treat any regrowth for several years. Regrowth should be at least 40 centimetres high before treating so it can absorb the herbicide effectively.

Other Control Methods

Herbicidal Control

Mechanical Control

Alternative Methods

More Information

Working with contractors for effective gorse management

Working with contractors (print-friendly version)

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Cultural Heritage Awareness

Landholders must be careful to avoid further damage to the environment (including waterways) and Aboriginal cultural heritage sites when using machinery. Be aware of your legal obligations and obtain the necessary permits. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage may be found during works at any time, at any place.

If suspected heritage is discovered, work is to cease and a Preliminary Report Form must be completed and sent to vahr@dpc.vic.gov.au. If you are unsure, seek advice from Agriculture Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, First Peoples – State Relations (formerly Aboriginal Victoria) or your local council.

Disclaimer

The information provided by this website is intended for general information only and should not be relied on or used as a substitute for professional advice for your particular situation.

Before undertaking any weed or rabbit management, always obtain advice from a qualified expert, with respect to your own situation. Always read and follow the label before using any of the products mentioned and ensure that you are undertaking weed and rabbit management in the appropriate conditions and in the appropriate manner.

We do not guarantee this website is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes, and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information contained on the website for any purpose.

This project is an initiative of the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network and is funded a project by the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria.

Gorse Management